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Christie celebrates cinematic creativity with NFTS
March 04, 2019
WOKINGHAM, United Kingdom - In its fourteenth year of supporting the National Film and Theatre School (NFTS), this year’s Christie® prize for ‘Most Promising NFTS Student’ was awarded to graduating composer, Will Turner. Will received a Christie DHD599-GS projector, to enjoy screenings at home. The 2019 National Film and Television School (NFTS) Graduation Showcase celebrated the last 12 months of productions and provided a platform for graduates to demonstrate their creative abilities to the industry.
Will Turner celebrates his NFTS award with Cindy Symons (to his immediate right), Brant Eckett, Marketing Director Cinema, Christie (to Symons’ right), and other dignitaries.
“Will stands out for his excellent attitude to everything he does,” says NFTS Head of Composing, John Keane. “He is always positive when dealing with others, a ready smile in the face of all difficulties. He is a talented composer on a quest to understand his vocation more profoundly, which is demonstrated by his willingness to experiment and take risks. He has also been tireless in helping other composers in the year, passing on his technical knowledge unstintingly. I don’t think anyone will be surprised by him winning this award!”
Will achieved a First Class Honours degree in Fine Art - working with paint, sculpture, sound and performance – and simultaneously edited a book of poetry that was exhibited internationally. Working into the early hours, he also managed to produce a dissertation on literature with the highest mark in the year as well as undertaking the study of guitar, piano, saxophone and singing. Composing at the NFTS he demonstrated a flair for musical originality, impressive understanding of music’s interplay with film and strong collaborative skills during the creative process.
“It’s our pleasure to support outstanding talent in the industry and continue our longstanding association with the NFTS,” says Brant Eckett, Marketing Director Cinema, Christie, who was on hand to present the award alongside Cindy Symons, Partnership Manager. “The NFTS continues to provide skilful, creative and dedicated students with the tools required to flourish in our industry. We congratulate Will on winning this year’s award for ‘Most Promising NFTS Student’ and we look forward to seeing him build on this impressive achievement.”
The NFTS is one of the world's leading film, games and television schools. NFTS graduates have gone on to win 11 Oscars, 139 BAFTAs and earn more student academy award nominations than any other film school. In 2018 the NFTS became the first educational institution to be recognised with a BAFTA for Outstanding Contribution to British Cinema. In the same year, NFTS graduation animation Poles Apart – directed by Paloma Baeza and produced by Ser En Low – won the Best Short Animation BAFTA, which was the fifth year in a row that NFTS graduation films won this accolade. NFTS Directing Animation MA alumni, David Fine and Alison Snowden were nominated for a 2019 Academy Award in the Best Animated Short category for their film, Animal Behaviour.